Founding Members of the Foundation Honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards

They saw a need in the community and they took action.

Twelve community stakeholders and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) leaders came together in 1989 as the Blue Ribbon Panel to study the possibility of creating a foundation. Their mission: to stimulate and receive charitable gifts that benefit the programs and services of SRHS.

“This group of people took were proactive and took their idea to the Spartanburg community,” said Ashley Allen, Foundation board chair.  “Today, 25 years later, we are keeping their original mission alive.”

Now, 25 years later, those original 12 community stakeholders and the first, inaugural Board of Trustees will be honored with the Spartanburg Regional Foundation's highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded at the Society of 1921 Donor Appreciation Gala.

“These 12 individuals shaped what the Foundation has become,” said Foundation executive director, Kristy Caradori. “Their vision has transformed the healthcare system and wellness outreach in our community.”

The recipients include:

• Charlie Boone, Blue Ribbon Panel: Boone was formerly the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System president who spearheaded the Foundation.
• MacFarlane Cates, Inaugural Board: He served on the inaugural Foundation board and as a member of the Foundation Heart Division. He was also involved in Foundation projects such as Spartanburg Regional's Hospice Home and the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute—Pelham expansion.
• Harrison Chapman*, Inaugural Board: She served on the inaugural Foundation board and supported campaigns including the building campaigns for the Emergency Center and Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute. She also established the Harrison Chapman Fund, dedicated to improve the health and wellness of heart patients and low-income patients with transportation appointments.
• Phyllis DeLapp, Inaugural Board: She served on the inaugural Foundation board and was a key supporter of the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.
• Sidney Fulmer, MD, Blue Ribbon Panel and Inaugural Board: Dr. Fulmer was a physician at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and served on both the Blue Ribbon Panel and inaugural board. Dr. Fulmer currently serves as the vice-chair of the Foundation Heart Division Board.
• Ellen Gramling, Blue Ribbon Panel: She was a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel, a supporter of the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, and member of the Foundation Hospice Division Board.
• Thomas Hannah, Inaugural Board: He was on the inaugural Foundation board and supports the Spartanburg Regional Hospice.
• Cheryl Harlston, Inaugural Board: She served on the inaugural Foundation board of trustees.
• Robert Harley,* Blue Ribbon Panel: He served as chairman of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and was a member of the Blue Ribbon Panel. Harley was involved in Foundation projects such as the building campaigns for the Emergency Center and building the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.
• Julian Josey, MD, Inaugural Board: Dr. Josey is a physician for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and brought the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute to reality with Dr. James Bearden. Both were also integral in the development of the Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health. Since joining the Foundation as part of the inaugural board, he continues to be involved, with special projects such as co-chairing fundraising efforts for the Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute—Pelham expansion project.
• Dr. John “Jack” Keith, Blue Ribbon Panel: Dr. Keith created Healthy Smiles, a dental care program for underprivileged children, which is supported by the Spartanburg Regional Foundation.
• Mike Kohler, Inaugural Board: He served on the inaugural Foundation board of trustees.
• The Honorable Bruce Littlejohn,* Blue Ribbon Panel: He was a part of the Blue Ribbon Panel.
• Zerno Martin,* Inaugural Board and Blue Ribbon Panel: Zerno Martin was senior vice-president for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and helped with the creation of the Foundation. He served on the Blue Ribbon Panel and was a member of the Foundation Cancer Division Board until he passed away in 2016. He also formed the Zerno E. Martin Nursing Scholarship Fund through the Foundation.
• Sam Maw, Inaugural Board: He served on the inaugural Foundation board and became board chairman in 2004. Maw has supported the Foundation as a Cancer Division member, as well as supporting the Emergency Center and Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home campaigns.
• Marion McMillan, Blue Ribbon Panel and Inaugural Board: McMillian served on both the Blue Ribbon Panel and inaugural Board. He has supported the Foundation through many campaigns and helped create the annual employee campaign.

*deceased

This is the fifth time presenting this award in the Foundation's history . Previous Lifetime Achievement Award winners include Roger Milliken, Bob Harley, Katie Hodge and Judy Bradshaw.

About the Spartanburg Regional Foundation

The Spartanburg Regional Foundation is a charitable organization whose primary mission is to benefit the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System through direct support and also through support of community programs and services that share the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System mission of providing quality health care to our community